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SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Diego Flash clinched the Pacific Division title yesterday, beating the San Francisco Bay Seals in a shootout at Kezar Stadium after the teams played to a 2-2 tie through regulation and overtime.
Brad Smith and University City High alum Jerome Watson were successful in the shootout for the Flash (19-6). San Diego goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who made six saves in regulation and overtime, saved three of four Seals shootout attempts.
The California Jaguars helped the Flash claim the division championship by upsetting Seattle 4-0 in Salinas. The Sounders went into the game tied with San Diego for first place.
It was a familiar script for the Flash, trailing at halftime and charging back for the victory. San Francisco Bay (10-17) led 2-0 at halftime -- as Clay Harty scored twice in the first half -- before goals by Kevin Legg in the 50th minute and Watson in the 61st brought the Flash level.
Watson, who beat San Francisco Bay goalkeeper Kevin Rueda to a loose ball just off the goal line, also had the assist on Legg's goal.
"San Francisco Bay provided a stiff challenge for us," said Flash coach Costa Skouras, who is 11-1 in A-League games since taking over for Ralf Wilhelms. "But I'm very proud of the guys for digging deep today and coming back."
Winner of eight straight games and 15 of its last 17, the Flash has 55 points -- clinching the Pacific Division title.
San Diego, which faces the Jaguars at 7 p.m. tomorrow in Salinas, needs one regulation win to clinch the Western Conference title as well as home-field advantage in the playoffs. (Teams get one point for a shootout win and three points for a regulation victory.)
Yesterday's game will be televised on Channel 4 tonight at 7. The next home game is Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the Jaguars at Devore Stadium on Fan Appreciation Night.
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